missing Sledders in Silent Pass ???

[Bogger]

I would almost guarantee their minor injuries were cold and dehydrated from the overnight stay. Too many yahoos in the mountains without knowledge or preparation that only know how to push the SOS button. The amount of S&R callouts this year seems excessive for sure. These are volunteers not paid full time jobs.

That said yes it should be used for dire emergency only.....As far as the cost goes I think that is a mute point, When the coast guard has to rescue boaters who have gone out without proper equipment or in conditions where they should not have it carries a large cost as well, yet it is a service provided with no charge, same deal as when someone ditches their car when driving on roads in unfavourable conditions on all season or even worse summer tires. Rescue services are dispatched and the driver who made a poor decision is not held financially responsible. I would guess if you compared overall cost of pleasure craft and vehicle rescues to the cost of SAR for sledders, even general backcountry users, we would pale in comparison as per what Joe taxpayer has to shell out.

The biggest difference I see is Volunteer Vs. Occupational and agree that SAR should be a last resort, but not based on cost

 

[Bnorth]

That said yes it should be used for dire emergency only.....As far as the cost goes I think that is a mute point, When the coast guard has to rescue boaters who have gone out without proper equipment or in conditions where they should not have it carries a large cost as well, yet it is a service provided with no charge, same deal as when someone ditches their car when driving on roads in unfavourable conditions on all season or even worse summer tires. Rescue services are dispatched and the driver who made a poor decision is not held financially responsible. I would guess if you compared overall cost of pleasure craft and vehicle rescues to the cost of SAR for sledders, even general backcountry users, we would pale in comparison as per what Joe taxpayer has to shell out.

The biggest difference I see is Volunteer Vs. Occupational and agree that SAR should be a last resort, but not based on cost

Yes I was referring to using them only as a last resort not as a cost issue. They still have day jobs or businesses to run to support a family. They do not have time to be out 3 nights a week. I think RevyG said earlier this season he had been out 9 times in two weeks or some such thing.

 

[Roy Maxwell]

There was a television special on this a few months ago. According to those interviewed for the show which was about an hour long and very well done, Search and Rescue on land in Canada is a bit of a patchwork across the country except in the National Parks where it is funded through park passes and hence is well funded, staff are all paid and service is typically very consistent and well organized. Outside of the National Parks system Search and Rescue involves a lot of volunteers and is therefore excellent in some more populous areas and not as good in more remote areas of Canada. Nevertheless, according to this show Search and Rescue outside of the National Parks system is funded by taxpayers. There was no shortage of stupid people being rescued on the show, mostly inexperienced hikers in the summertime, and they were all rescued no questions asked so it appears this service is funded by taxpayers and it is there to be used but like anything else, should be used with some common sense. If you are lost or trapped in the back country in winter time, temperatures are dropping, there is an injury, even what appears to be minor, better to contact Search and Rescue before things get out of control. If you hiked to the top of a mountain on a designated trail in the summertime and your legs are a little sore and you are too lazy to hike back down you should not be calling Search and Rescue.

 

[the_real_wild1]

Yes I was referring to using them only as a last resort not as a cost issue. They still have day jobs or businesses to run to support a family. They do not have time to be out 3 nights a week. I think RevyG said earlier this season he had been out 9 times in two weeks or some such thing.

If they don't have the time to do it then they shouldn't volunteer.

 

[RevyG]

If they don't have the time to do it then they shouldn't volunteer.

Really, you have to be kidding! Volunteering to help if someone is in trouble and injured is one thing, not just because your ego said you could ride down that gully but your skill level says different. Give me a break, oh wait you are probably that guy.

 

[the_real_wild1]

So you were at each call and know every detail then I guess?

 

[moyiesledhead]

you think they would chopper a few of us into the backcountry, to avoid all the rough trails in Silver mines, Hope creek. would save alot of sore backs etc.
could be classified as a emergency.

Maybe. You gonna snowshoe back out? Search & Rescue transports people, not sleds.

For all you guys that think lost sledders that get flown out are getting a free ride, consider the cost of going back and flying their sleds out. Search and Rescue aint gonna pay for that!, nor should they!

 

[imdoo'n]

Why not, I may get lost and have to call em again,

So i guess ordering pizza n beer is not going to fly?

Overnight at -30 in my opinion can be an emergency in short order and i'm thinking pulling a guy out alive is better than a cold stiff body. U guys can be heroes if ya want but i will decide when i need help not you. I have been out in the bush at -40 i can tell straight up you don't want to be there, you can't gather enough firewood or keep warm. I'd have no problem dialling 911.

 

[Thunderr]

On Mar. 8 at 3:13 p.m., Golden RCMP received a report from the International Emergency Response reporting a spot activation, with GPS coordinates at Silent Pass, north of Duncan Lake, near Parson.
Golden RCMP were able to determine that three avid snowmobilers with experience in back country sledding, and overnight winter camping, were associated to the beacon.
Golden and District Search and Rescue was advised, and attempted to locate the males via helicopter, however due to severe weather conditions they were unable to continue with the search, and a decision was made to attempt another search the following morning.
At daylight, GADSAR resumed their search, and were able to locate all three males. The males explained to rescuers that their snowmobiles had become stuck, so they activated their emergency beacon, and set up an overnight camp.
One of the males, from Airdrie, AB., was transported back to Golden via helicopter to be treated for non-life threatening injuries related to smoke inhalation, and the other two males, one from Calgary and the other from Kelowna were transported back to their vehicle by GADSAR.

 

[bobsledder]

Wow, a Lot of armchair critics one here.

Wasn't there and don't have a clue to the circumstances but glad to hear devices like SPOT do work and these people are ok.

 

[imdoo'n]

Maybe. You gonna snowshoe back out? Search & Rescue transports people, not sleds.

For all you guys that think lost sledders that get flown out are getting a free ride, consider the cost of going back and flying their sleds out. Search and Rescue aint gonna pay for that!, nor should they!

if i'm calling for rescue help, i'm not thinking about a sled. i'm not going to be calling unless it is necesary, but i'm not going to sit there worrying about what everyone thinks. i agree with using it only if you have to, not to order pizza haha.

 

[kfrey]

I was there as well. The conditions were not good to go to the backside so my group did not go. We must have got back to the trucks a little after Taminator but I agree that going back up without proper resources would have been a bad idea.

This goes to say that everyone should carry the extra 5 pounds of gear that may save their life and not worry so much about the uncool look of carrying an extra bag or bigger backpack.

If everyone was prepared to stay, the calls to s&r would be minimized.

 

[frop]

So I was one of the guys stuck up on the mountain last weekend, at silent pass. when my eyes sealed shut cuz of to much smoke in the eyes I thought it was a good idea to call for help. so eat me to all the losers that trashed talked us, and not really know nothing about the situation. and thank you to all the people not trash talking us. It was clear out when we went in there. we were 10 mins to slow getting out of there and then we got socked in, total white out. we made a shelter and spent the night, plan to leave next morning. when the sky broke through we went to leave, but right then my eyes sealed shut and I was not able to see. so I thought it was a good idea to get rescued vs losing my eye sight for ever. we had our gps and it was no use to us since it was a total whiteout. people die cuz they don't send for help, I wasn't going to be that person. We had enough supplies to last 3 days. we are out safe and I still only have 50% of my eye sight back. Thanks to all that saved us I was in really bad shape. I would not of changed what I did to stay safe. a couple of you are a bunch of cry babies

 

[RevyG]

So I was one of the guys stuck up on the mountain last weekend, at silent pass. when my eyes sealed shut cuz of to much smoke in the eyes I thought it was a good idea to call for help. so eat me to all the losers that trashed talked us, and not really know nothing about the situation. and thank you to all the people not trash talking us. It was clear when we went in there we were 10 mins to slow getting out of there and we got socked in total white out. we made a shelter and spent the night, plan to leave next morning. when the sky broke through we went to leave, but right then my eyes sealed shut and I was not able to see. so I thought it was a good idea to get rescued vs losing my eye sight for ever. we had our gps and it was no use to us since it was a total whiteout. people die cuz they don't send for help I wasn't going to be that person.

Why was it useless? Do you know how to use it? Not being a dick but lots of guys carry stuff they have no idea how to use. If you used it correctly there is no reason you could not track back and have been out BEFORE the morning when( still don't get this one, white rabbit, white rabbit) you got smoked out.

 

[frop]

Whiteout could only see 20 feet in front of us. we were parked right in front of the exit but every time I tried to leave I could tell if I was even moving while I was trying to climb out. made a couple tries at it but no luck. I had my goggles on all night but still took in to much smoke trying to keep the fire going. and yes I know how to us my gps, Its always on. I evaluated the situation and I made the best call possible. this isn't the 1st time i've spent the night in the mt. Ive done about 100 trips to the back mt in the last 2 years, and only 1 time has it gone really bad so I think my odds are quite good

 

[SnowDog]

So I was one of the guys stuck up on the mountain last weekend, at silent pass. when my eyes sealed shut cuz of to much smoke in the eyes I thought it was a good idea to call for help. so eat me to all the losers that trashed talked us, and not really know nothing about the situation. and thank you to all the people not trash talking us. It was clear out when we went in there. we were 10 mins to slow getting out of there and then we got socked in, total white out. we made a shelter and spent the night, plan to leave next morning. when the sky broke through we went to leave, but right then my eyes sealed shut and I was not able to see. so I thought it was a good idea to get rescued vs losing my eye sight for ever. we had our gps and it was no use to us since it was a total whiteout. people die cuz they don't send for help, I wasn't going to be that person. We had enough supplies to last 3 days. we are out safe and I still only have 50% of my eye sight back. Thanks to all that saved us I was in really bad shape. I would not of changed what I did to stay safe. a couple of you are a bunch of cry babies

You did the right thing, ignore all the idiots and arm chair critics on here who seem to know it all but have never been in your situation...unreal !

 

[frop]

You did the right thing, ignore all the idiots and arm chair critics on here who seem to know it all but have never been in your situation...unreal !

Thx man nice sled

 

[~Rowdy~]

Frop: can I ask how you got too much smoke in your eyes? What caused that? Might be something we all can learn. Thank you.

NEVERMIND sorry...read your other post...my computer at work sucks the big one

 

[Modman]

OK, before the hypocrits start calling everyone else "losers" and "cry babies". There is some fact clarification that needs to happen:

1) the initial call was put out on late Saturday afternoon, according to the post on page 1. Before anyone spent the night anywhere from my understanding of reading the posts above. Guy stuck on the hill says they called Sunday morning when they were leaving?
2) From Tam's post, the chopper set down near them on Sat afternoon but was unable to reach the guys requiring rescue (so Saturday? They weren't stuck there from Friday were they?).
3) They spent 1 night and were rescued on Sunday morning is my understanding from posts above.

the timeline of the call vs the account above does not match, unless I'm missing something. Just looking to try and understand this all.

 

[RevyG]

Whiteout could only see 20 feet in front of us. we were parked right in front of the exit but every time I tried to leave I could tell if I was even moving while I was trying to climb out. made a couple tries at it but no luck. I had my goggles on all night but still took in to much smoke trying to keep the fire going. and yes I know how to us my gps, Its always on. I evaluated the situation and I made the best call possible. this isn't the 1st time i've spent the night in the mt. Ive done about 100 trips to the back mt in the last 2 years, and only 1 time has it gone really bad so I think my odds are quite good

Something is off on this whole story. I see you have spent the night before.just cause it is on, doesn't mean you can use it, IF you knew and you were 20 feet from exit than something is off. You have done 100 trips, and spent one night,now two, good job.
I read from you that your only mistake was poor fire skills.